Invalid appliance for beds and cots



7 Jan. '16, 1940." H. BURNS 2,187,013

INVALID APPLIANCE FOR BEDS AND COTS Filed Jan. 3, 193B /5 :E l E ..l

Lawreizce IfBwvw INVfNTOR, BY I ATTORNEY.

mea Jan. 16, 1940 UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE Lawrence H. Burns, Waco, T'ex.

Application January 3, 1938, Serial No. 183,113

Claims.

This invention relates to invalid cots and beds of the type generally employed in hospitals and sick rooms in the care of invalidpersons and it has particular reference to apparatus which may be adjustably attached to a conventional bed or cot, and its principal object resides in the provision of a device which can be easily and conveniently positioned upon any Ordinary bed providing an'arrangement enabling a person reclining thereon to assume a semi-erect posture and adjustably fixed at variable positions as best suited to the comfort and convenience of the subject. Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a simple arrangement of parts affording an inexpensive device having a variety of adjustments adapting the assembly to use simply as a convenient appliance for any bedroom wherein the user may desire to recline in a reading posi- 20 tion before retiring for the night, the novel adjustments making it possible to raise and lower the head portion of the bed at will.

Still another object of the invention is manifest in the provision of apparatus capable of operation e in connection with the conventional springs and mattress already supplied for the bed to which the device is applied without making special provision for its installation.

Broadly, the invention seeks to comprehend the provision of apparatus for converting an ordinary bedinto a comfortable and convenient invalid bed whereby the subject may be allowed to recline with a minimum of discomfort.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become manifest as the description proceeds taken in connection with the appended drawing wherein: V Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of the invention adjusted to permit a reclining position. 40 Figure 2 is a lateral cross-sectional view of one of the bed rails illustrating the manner of securement of the invention thereto.

Figure 3 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the cross member of one end of the bed frame showing the sliding guide member of the device, and

Figure 4 illustrates a form of cover plate for the knee-joint connection adjustably retaining viously the frame I must be constructed in sizes suitable for application to any of the standard sizes of beds or cots.

The frame I isisubstantially braced across one end, hereinafter referred to as the head, by cross 5 members t and angle braces 5 which provide rigidity. The frame I is normally supported by the springs 6 of the bed and it is desirable that no cross member be provided between the end a of the parallel rails 2 which extend approximately 10 midway the ends of the bed, as illustrated in Figure 1.

It is apparent, therefore, that no obstruction or ridge is prevalent between the mattress (not. shown) and the springs ii to impair the general comfort of the person reclining upon the bed. The brace arrangement provided by the members t is capable of retaining the ends a of the frame I parallelwith each other.

When weight is placed on the apparatus there is a tendency of the rails? of the frame to be drawn together at the ends a, and to overcome this tendency a novel arrangement is provided at the said ends and consists of a pair of brackets "i designed to engage either conventional wood or 5 iron bed rails in the manner illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the said brackets being rigidly connected and spaced by a rod 8, Whereas the upper ends of the brackets have journalled extending arms 9 which are attached by means of countersunk bolts Iii. At the ends opposite the bolts Hi there are pivotally connected links H which have countersunk supporting bolts l2, the latter passing through the rails 2 and adjusted in relation thereto by the nuts [3.

Above each of the parallel rails 2 there are pro vided upper frame members It which are reinforced with angle iron 15 longitudinally arranged thereon and secured by rivets It. At the end toward the head 4 there is provided a rigid cross 40 member I'l' which is secured to the frame members l4 and is provided with a lifting handle it on its outer edge. At the ends of the frame members l4, opposite the cross member ll, hinges l9 are provided for pivotally connecting the said 4 members to the parallel rails.

A pawl arrangement for adjusting the upper frame in varying degrees of elevation is provided and consists of lateral notches 20 in the upper face of the parallel rails 2 and are designed to receive a cross bar 2| which is attached to the frame members M by means of the pawl arms 22, v the latter being secured to the said frame by means of bolts 23.

To insureagainst lateral movement of the head portion of the apparatus, a bracket member 24 is attached to the cross member 25 of the bed frame, the said bracket member being angularly shaped to accommodate the said cross member and having an extending portion 26, the latter having an opening 21 therethrough to accommodate a vertical guide 28 which is rigidly secured to the head 4. Thus, the resilient movement occasioned by the action of the bed springs 6 is not obstructed but the frame I is prevented from moving in any direction other than vertical.

To aid an occupant of the bed in lowering the pawl, a cord 29 is passed through the holes 30 in the cross member IT, as illustrated in Figure 1, and attached to the cross bar 2! at the points I). It is desirable that the holes 30 be of sufiicient diameter to allow a freely sliding movement of the cord 29.

Other brackets 3| are attached to the bed rail 3 and have, through their lower ends, a journalled shaft 32 the outer ends of which project on either side of the said rails and have key slots 33. Slidably keyed to the shaft 32, as illustrated in Figure 1, and providing for variation in the width of the bed frame or the distance between the rails 3, lever arms 34 are provided, the outer ends of which pivotally connect arms 35, the latter being adjustably secured to the frame members M by means of bolts 36 and adjustment nuts 37. An integral and upwardly projecting sleeve 33, which is a part of the lever arms 34, is designed to receive a lever, not shown, the lower end of which is receivable within the socket 49 of the sleeve 38. By this arrangement, the occupant may, by sitting up in the bed, elevate the upper frame by means of the lever, and, when necessary, lift and lower the bar 2| by means of the cord 29 as desired. However, it is obvious that an attendant may lift a reclining occupant by the lever arrangement.

A guard 4|, in the form of a triangular plate, is attached to the link i I by means of the screws 42, as illustrated in Figure 4.

Between the upper frame members l4 and attached to the cross member I? by means of coil springs 43, a supporting surface 46 of crossed or meshed wires is provided and extends toward and is attached to the ends a of the rails 2 and is secured in a like manner by other coil springs 45.

Manifestly, the structure shown is capable of considerable changes and modifications from time to time by those skilled in the art and such changes and modifications as may fall within the intent and spirit of this invention may also be considered as falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An attachment for invalid cots and the like comprising a pair of rails, a pair of longitudinal frame members above the said rails, a cross member rigidly connecting the head ends of the said rails, a cross member secured between the head ends of the said frame members, hinges attaching the other ends of the said frame members and the said rails, brackets adapted to be attached to the side rails of the said cot, a spacing rod connecting the said brackets, arms journalled I to the upper ends of the said brackets, links pivotally connected to the said arms, means pivotally connecting the said links to the first named rails, a pawl pivoted on the said frame members and adjustably engaging the first named rails, and patient supporting means connected between the longitudinal frame members.

2. An adjustable head section adapted to be attached to a cot comprising a pair of rails, a pair of longitudinal frame members above the said rails, a cross member rigidly connected to the head ends of the said rails, a cross member secured between the head ends of the said frame members, hinges attaching the other ends of the said frame members and the said rail members, patient supporting means connected between the said longitudinal frame members, brackets adapted to be attached to the rails of the said cot, a spacing rod between the said brackets, arms journalled to the upper ends of the said brackets, links pivotally connected to the said arms, means pivotally connecting the said links to the first named rails, a pawl pivotally attached to the said frame members and adjustably engaging the first named rails for elevating the said patient supporting means, a guide member adapted to be attached to the head cross member of the cot frame, an outwardly extending portion integral with the said guide member, an opening in the said extending portion, a vertical guide rigidly secured to the said first mentioned cross members and slidably engaging the said opening.

3. An attachment for invalid cots and the like comprising a pair of rails, a pair of longitudinal frame members above the said rails, a cross member rigidly connected to the head ends of the said rails, a head cross member secured between the head ends of the said frame members, hinges attaching the other ends of the said frame members and the said rail members, patient sup porting means connected between the said frame members, brackets adapted to be attached to the rails of the said cot, a spacing rod connecting the said brackets, arms journalled to the said brackets, links pivotally connected to the said arms, means connecting the said links to the first named rails, a pawl pivotally attached to the said frame member and adjustably engaging the first mentioned rails for elevating the said patient supporting means, a guide member adapted to be attached to the head cross member of the cot frame, an outwardly extending portion integral with the said guide member, an opening in the said extending portion, a vertical guide rigidly secured to the first mentioned cross member and slidably engaging the said opening, a journalled shaft adapted to be transversely supported by the said cot rails, lever arms keyed to the ends of the said shaft, means connecting the said lever arms with the said frame members, and means rigid with one of the said lever arms adapted to receive an operating lever for elevating the said frame members.

4. An attachment for invalid cots and the like comprising a pair of rails, a pair of longitudinal frame members above the said rails, a cross member rigidly connected to the head ends of the said rails, a head cross member secured between the head ends of the said frame members, hinges attaching the other ends of the said frame members and the said rail members, patient supporting means connected between the said frame members and between the said rails at the ends opposite the said head cross member, brackets adapted to be attached to the rails of the said cot, a spacing rod connecting the said brackets, arms journalled to the upper ends of the said brackets, links pivotally connected to the said arms, means connecting the said links to the first named rails, a pawl pivotally attached to the said frame member and adjustably engaging the first mentioned rails, for elevating the said patient supporting means, a guide member adapted to be attached to the head cross member of the cot frame, an outwardly extending por-' tion integral with the said guide member, an opening in the said extending portion, and a vertical guide rigidly secured to the first mentioned cross member and slidably engaging the said I opening.

5. An attachment for invalid cots and the like comprising a pair of rails, a pair of longitudinal frame members above the said rails, a cross member rigidly connected to the head ends of the rails of the said cot, a spacing rod connecting the said brackets, arms journalled to the upper ends of the said brackets, links pivotally connected to the said arms, means connecting. the said links to the first named rails, a pawl pivotally attached to the said frame member and adjustably engaging the first mentioned rails for elevating the said patient supporting means, a journalled shaft adapted to be transversely supported.- by the rails of the cot, lever arms keyed to the ends of the said shaft, means connecting the said lever arms with the said frame members LAWRENCE H BURNS. 

